Discord Amongst the herd - How is your herd (family) getting along, are you all in disagreement, constant conflict and friction, or is your herd a harmonious heaven?

 In a herd of animals such as horses there are times when you are more likely to find disharmony occurring, such as at feeding time, when new herd members are introduced, or when there are other disruptions or events that may cause uneasiness.  We too experience these events and or disruptions in our day to day lives which can and do result in changes to our herd (family) dynamics.  Interestingly horses are naturally very social creatures and are dependent on each other for safety. Safety is not just a should for a horse it is a must! What I mean by that is horses depend on each other for survival; the reason for this is that they are prey animals and have a strong sense of self –preservation.  What lessons could we learn from observing the herd dynamics and gaining an understanding of certain times and or triggers that can result in disharmony or upset amount herd / family members?  Horses are very good at understanding their role within the herd, and show not only understanding but respect and commit to their place and individual responsibility in the herd. For example horses know who is the leader, and will respect and look to them for guidance. While others lower in the herd, while not always less important, are content and happy with their role. Together they form a strong interdependent bond that helps them fulfill their primary goal of safety and survival. The work together as a team and communicate clearly with each other. Consider how this compares to your family or personal relationship, do you all respect each other?  Is there an agreed upon leader? Do you all communicate with each other clearly? Do you all understand your role?  Are there times and or events which constantly trigger conflict or arguments? 

What is Conscious Communication

Clearly communicating what your needs wants and desires are is not only a very important skill, but one that can assist in your overall emotional well being. I believe communication is a skill we should invest considerable effort in fine tuning. It is not something that is learned once and then never improved upon or reviewed. If we think about the varied number of not only methods, but other beings that we communicate with over our life time, it will start to provide you with an understanding of how we need to be not only flexible, but aware of how we, and others around us communicate.  By increasing our self awareness and understanding the impact of how we communicate, not only can we improve relationships but in the process become more conscious of the impact we have on those around us.  Such an understanding results in greater empathy and happiness within our lives. We start to feel more confident, capable of expressing ourselves and more in control of our emotional state. Follow this link to a simple process that will help you become a master of conscious communication.... conscious-communication process

More support for the effectiveness of Equine Interaction

The therapeutic value of interaction with horses is becoming more and more documented . This article shows how "Health professionals say horses can reflect our emotions to bring relief from addiction and stress" . The horse provides very good feedback in relation to a person and or persons emotional well being. 


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Life Lessons from Animals about being Human

When I came across this particular article I felt compelled to share. It explains the many benefits and lessons we can learn from interacting with animals, not just horses. What I like about it in particular is that is touches on how long this field of work has been around , and explains that we are only beginning to realise the potential impact they can have. The article is wonderful and is well worth a read What therapy animals can teach us about being human enjoy 

 

The horse as a partner

Employing horses to teach people is no foreign concept. There are many people around the world drawing on the unique attributes of our equine friends to provide opportunities for personal growth and self discovery. In particular the lessons we can learn from non verbal communication are incredibly valuable. Our fast paced rapidly changing environment, with its increasing reliance on technology provides limited situations in which we need to use these skills. Its seems a natural conclusion that given many of school aged children and preschool for that matter, all of who have experienced a heavy presence of technology for their entire lives, may be lacking and or have underdeveloped skills in these areas, . As a result of this reduced awareness of non verbal communication and understanding of body language, we find many not just youth but adults experiencing lower self-esteem, lack of confidence, and inability to successfully establish boundaries .We rarely knowingly and willingly practice or refine these skills. One explanation may be that when communicating with people we are less likely to receive immediate and accurate feedback on how effectively we communicate. This lack of human feedback can be a result of a number of factors, and may vary from individual to individual, however when we interact with a horse you will find it will provide immediate and accurate feedback on your communication skills and body language. To gain trust and respect from a horse you need to find within yourself the ability to master your emotions, become acutely aware of your body language, and provide confident and believable leadership. Without these or an awareness of these skills partnering with a horse will most likely prove to be difficult.